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Ibanez AEWC32FM Review: Slim Acoustic-Electric Comfort

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Nathan Thompson

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Introduction

Ibanez has a long history of producing high-quality acoustic guitars dating back to the late 1960s. While known more for their iconic electric guitars, Ibanez recognized the need for well-crafted acoustic models to complement their lineup. The Ibanez AEWC series exemplifies the brand’s expertise in acoustic guitar design.

The AEWC series features thinline acoustic-electric guitars built for comfort, playability, and amplified performance. With slender, contoured bodies and cutaway designs, these guitars provide easy access to the upper frets while still delivering impressive volume and projection when unplugged.

The Ibanez AEWC32FM represents an excellent option within this series. With its flamed maple top, matching headstock, and eye-catching Sunset Fade finish options, the AEWC32FM offers stunning visuals to match its versatile sonic capabilities. Equipped with a Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ210TF preamp, this guitar is ready to plug in and impress at gigs or in the studio.

In this in-depth review, we’ll analyze the build quality, sound, playability, and value of the Ibanez AEWC32FM. Read on to see if this thinline acoustic-electric could be the right fit for your musical needs.

Body and Design

The Ibanez AEWC32FM features a thinline body shape that provides hours of playing comfort. The slender profile contours to your body whether sitting or standing, allowing you to play without fatigue.

The top is made of gorgeous flamed maple, available in three eye-catching finishes – Amber Sunset Fade, Indigo Sunset Fade, and Black Sunset Fade. Each sunset burst incorporates rich, vibrant colors into the flamed maple, creating a stunning look.

The neck is constructed from nyatoh, a tonewood known for its stability and balanced sound. It has a smooth satin finish for speed and comfort. The fingerboard is made from walnut, which enhances midrange frequencies for excellent note definition.

In terms of aesthetics, the AEWC32FM is a beautiful, refined guitar. Small details like the maple binding and mother-of-pearl inlay give it a premium appearance. The smooth body contours and sleek headstock shape add to the modern, stylish vibe. Overall, it’s an acoustic guitar you’ll be proud to play on stage.

Sound and Electronics

The Ibanez AEWC32FM produces a balanced, warm unplugged tone with excellent resonance and sustain thanks to its thinline body design. The solid spruce top is light and responsive, projecting the guitar’s voice with clarity.

The onboard Fishman Sonicore pickup combined with Ibanez’s AEQ210TF preamp provides exceptional plugged-in sound. The pickup reproduces the guitar’s natural tone accurately through an amp or PA system. The preamp’s 2-band EQ allows shaping the bass and treble response to suit different playing styles. There are also built-in controls for volume and tuner, making the AEWC32FM stage-ready right out of the box.

Whether fingerpicking melodies or strumming chords, the AEWC32FM maintains its balanced character when plugged in. The Fishman electronics have enough dynamic range to handle anything from soft, delicate passages to aggressive strumming without getting muddy. The guitar also exhibits very low feedback, allowing for more gain before squeals.

Overall, the AEWC32FM delivers professional amplified acoustic tone suitable for live performances or recording. Between its resonant acoustic voice and flexible plugged-in sounds, this thinline guitar can cover an impressive range of musical genres and situations. The onboard electronics package adds convenience without compromising the instrument’s inherent quality.

Playability

The Ibanez AEWC32FM features a comfortable and playable nyatoh neck profile. The neck has a nice rounded shape that accommodates both fingerstyle and strumming hand positions. The action on the AEWC32FM is set up well out of the box, with medium-low action that makes barre chords easy to play.

The string tension on the AEWC32FM is balanced and allows for expressive and dynamic playing. The strings are not overly tight, which can sometimes be an issue on thinline acoustic guitars. The strings have enough tension for good volume and projection when strumming, while still being flexible enough for fingerpicking techniques.

Both fingerpicking and strumming are enjoyable on the AEWC32FM. The thinline body provides comfort and ergonomics that aid complex fingerstyle playing. The body shape also makes strumming accessible across different playing positions. The guitar feels natural and responsive when playing intricate fingerpicking patterns. It also has enough projection for rhythmic strumming styles.

The rosewood fretboard on the AEWC32FM has a smooth and fast feel that facilitates quick lead lines and solos. The fretwork from the nut to the body joint is excellent, with no sharp fret ends to cause discomfort. Overall the intonation is accurate, allowing for clean chords and scales across the neck. The guitar stays in tune well even during aggressive playing.

Value for Money

The Ibanez AEWC32FM has an MSRP of $599, though street prices are typically around $499. This positions it as a mid-priced acoustic-electric guitar, competitive with other thinline models like the Taylor 114e at $699 and Martin DX1AE at $549.

Compared to the Taylor and Martin alternatives, the Ibanez AEWC32FM punches above its weight in terms of features and quality for the price. The flamed maple top and Fishman electronics already give it an upgraded aesthetic and tonal palette. When you factor in the comfort-focused body design and quality hardware, it’s impressive what Ibanez packs into this guitar for under $500.

For players looking to get the most versatility and value from their money, the AEWC32FM is hard to beat. The plugged-in sound can handle anything from solo jazz to rock band settings. Unplugged, it has excellent resonance despite the thinline body. The sunset burst finishes are also unique and appealing at this price point.

Overall, the combination of great looks, flexible electronics, and thinline playability make the Ibanez AEWC32FM an incredible value. It has the appointments of a more expensive instrument with the affordability that working musicians need. For guitarists wanting excellent quality without breaking the bank, the AEWC32FM deserves serious consideration.

Pros and Cons

The Ibanez AEWC32FM thinline acoustic-electric guitar has several notable strengths that make it a versatile and appealing option for players. Some of the key pros include:

  • Sleek, comfortable thinline body shape that reduces fatigue during long playing sessions
  • Impressive high-end looks with flamed maple top and attractive finish options
  • Balanced unplugged tone with good projection thanks to the thinline body
  • Quality electronics package with Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez preamp
  • Onboard tuner and EQ controls offer excellent tone shaping ability
  • Excellent playability right out of the box with comfortable neck and low action
  • High-quality construction and craftsmanship

In terms of potential drawbacks, a few worth mentioning are:

  • Feedback issues are possible at higher volumes when plugged in
  • Some may find the tonal palette somewhat limited compared to a full dreadnought
  • The preamp doesn’t allow for very dramatic tone changes
  • Upper fret access not as easy due to the cutaway design
  • May not be ideal for aggressive strummers due to the thinline body

Overall though, the Ibanez AEWC32FM offers outstanding quality, sound, and playability at a very competitive price point in the market. For versatile players who need a great-sounding acoustic-electric that’s comfortable on stage, this model is hard to beat. The minor drawbacks should not deter most players, especially working musicians or hobbyists looking for excellent value.

Conclusion

The Ibanez AEWC32FM is a versatile and quality thinline acoustic-electric that punches above its weight class. With its comfortable body shape, beautiful looks, and Fishman electronics, this guitar has a lot to offer players looking for an inspiring and gig-ready acoustic.

Overall, the AEWC32FM provides excellent value at its price point. While not completely flawless, it has very few downsides considering the quality components and thoughtful design that went into it. The guitar’s comfortable playability, rich acoustic tone, and flexible plugged-in sounds make it a great choice for singer-songwriters, worship players, and gigging musicians alike.

I would readily recommend the Ibanez AEWC32FM to players looking for a stage-ready acoustic with exotic good looks. Its thinline body reduces feedback issues, making it perfect for live performances where volume is a must. The AEQ210TF preamp gives you total control over your amplified tone, while still retaining the guitar’s natural resonance.

If you’re searching for a versatile, lightweight acoustic-electric, be sure to try out the AEWC32FM at your local guitar shop. I think you’ll be impressed by how comfortable and playable this Ibanez feels, and how great it sounds when plugged in. For the price, it’s hard to find a better option that delivers on aesthetics, quality, and musical inspiration.

YouTube Video

The Ibanez AEWC32FM sounds great both unplugged and plugged in. To get a sense of its acoustic tone and amplified versatility, check out this video demo from Ibanez:

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This demo highlights the warm and balanced unplugged tone of the AEWC32FM. When plugged in, you can hear the crispness and clarity provided by the Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez preamp. The player showcases the guitar’s potential across various genres, from soft fingerpicking to aggressive strumming.

Overall, the video is a great representation of the AEWC32FM’s diverse tonal palette. The thinline body projects beautifully acoustically, while the onboard electronics and EQ provide excellent amplified tones for stage and studio use. This demo gives viewers a strong feel for the guitar’s sound before even playing it themselves.

Related Models

The Ibanez AEWC32FM compares favorably to other similar Ibanez models like the AEW20OPN. The AEW20OPN is another thinline acoustic-electric guitar in Ibanez’s lineup with some comparable features.

Some key differences between the AEWC32FM and AEW20OPN:

  • The AEWC32FM has a flamed maple top while the AEW20OPN has an open pore natural finish. The flamed maple gives the AEWC32FM a more striking and upscale look.

  • The AEWC32FM has a slightly larger body depth at 3.5" while the AEW20OPN is 3.25" deep. This gives the AEWC32FM a bit more projection unplugged.

  • The AEWC32FM has a walnut fingerboard while the AEW20OPN has rosewood. Walnut is known for a balanced and clear tone.

  • The AEWC32FM comes equipped with a Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ210TF preamp, while the AEW20OPN has an Ibanez SST Shape Shifter pickup and Ibanez AEQ-SP1 preamp. The Fishman setup in the AEWC32FM provides a more natural amplified tone.

  • The AEWC32FM tends to have better overall build quality with more attention to fine details and craftsmanship.

Both models share the same neck profile, nut width, scale length, and other core specs. The AEW20OPN costs around $100-150 less than the AEWC32FM. For players wanting a thinline acoustic-electric in this price range, the AEWC32FM represents a noticeable step up over the AEW20OPN in terms of aesthetics, electronics, and construction.

Where To Buy

You can find the Ibanez AEWC32FM acoustic-electric guitar at the following major retailers:

  • Sweetwater – Sweetwater is one of the largest online music instrument retailers in the US. They have a great selection of Ibanez guitars in stock with fast shipping and excellent customer service.

  • Guitar Center – With stores across the country, Guitar Center is likely to have the AEWC32FM available for you to try out in person before buying. They price match many online retailers too.

  • Musician’s Friend – Similar to Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend has a huge selection of gear and competitive prices. Free 2-day shipping on most orders.

  • Sam Ash – Sam Ash is another major national musical instrument chain with great deals on Ibanez guitars. Their website makes it easy to find a location near you.

  • Amazon – Search for ‘Ibanez AEWC32FM’ on Amazon and you’ll find authorized sellers offering free Prime shipping. Watch for occasional sales and discounts.

  • eBay – While buying from unauthorized sellers has risks, eBay often has used/open box AEWC32FM guitars for the lowest prices. Just beware of counterfeits.

  • Reverb – Reverb is the largest online used gear marketplace. You can likely find good deals on used AEWC32FM guitars from vetted sellers here.

  • Local Music Stores – Don’t forget to check your local independent music stores too. You can try before you buy and support local business.

The AEWC32FM is a relatively new model, so call your preferred retailers or check their websites to confirm availability. Act fast if you see a deal on the color you want!